Gary Mason at NW200 on MSS Colchester Kawasaki

Gary Mason will replace injured Simon Andrews at this year’s NW200 on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki as Andrews is still recovering from foot and heel injuries he sustained at the WSB round in Valencia.

It will be Mason’s first time racing on a pure road course and the 30-year-old from Lichfield said, “I’m really excited about this, the North West is a legendary place and originally I was a bit gutted not to be going.

“Now as Simon has unfortunately injured himself the team has asked me to go out and I couldn’t be more keen!”

NW200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte MBE said: “We’re delighted that Gary is able to compete on Saturday 15th May and I know he’s extremely excited about taking part and I’ve spent some time with him looking round the course in preparation for Race Week.”

Mason found great form in the 2009 British Superbike series, taking his privateer machine to a front row start and 13 top ten finishes in the Cup competition.

He will join a strong MSS squad for the NW200 with successful Irish ‘roads’ specialists Ryan Farquhar and Stephen Thompson.

The Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse takes place on Saturday 15th May (roads close 10am).

Official practice sessions are scheduled for Tuesday 11th May (roads close 5pm to 9.30pm) and Thursday 13th May (roads close 9.30am to 3.30pm). 

For more information visit www.northwest200.org